The Luna He Rejected

The Silver Ridge Pack has always been my home. I grew up here… or what was left of growing up. I lost my parents when I was still a pup, too young to even understand what “death” meant. Since then, this pack became my world. And somehow… I became its Luna. I stepped into the kindergarten area, and the moment the children saw me, they came rushing forward with bright smiles and small arms wrapping around me. I laughed softly, bending down to greet them as they ran around me, chasing each other with innocent joy. “Good day, Luna,” the teacher said with a respectful bow. I smiled. “How are they today?” “They’ve been very active,” she replied with a light chuckle. My eyes stayed on the children for a moment longer than necessary. Something warm and painful tugged at my chest. How I wish I had one of my own… My wolf stirred gently inside me. Don’t think like that. I exhaled slowly. “Don’t worry,” I whispered back to her. “Luna.” A voice pulled me back. I blinked and turned to one of the guards standing nearby. “Is there a problem?” I asked. “The ceremony for the new recruits is about to begin. Your presence is required.” My eyes widened slightly. I had completely forgotten. “Right,” I said quickly. “Let’s go.” I said goodbye to the children, who waved excitedly as I left. The guard followed behind me as I made my way back toward the pack house. The pack was lively as always. Teenagers gathered in groups, talking and laughing. The moment they noticed me, they quickly bowed and scattered like they were afraid to be caught lingering too long. I let out a small laugh. At the entrance of the pack house, the guards bowed as I approached. I nodded in return and stepped inside. On my right, I paused slightly. “How is your arm?” I asked one of the guards. He looked startled, like he didn’t expect me to notice. “It’s healed, Luna.” I gave a small nod. “Good.” Then I continued inside. A Luna isn’t just a title. A Luna knows her people—their names, their wounds, their fears, even their likes and dislikes. She carries them all, every single day. Except for one thing. An heir. My steps never faltered, but inside me, something sank. Give the pack an heir. The thought followed me like a shadow. I reached the hall where the ceremony was taking place. The announcer called out my arrival, and the doors opened. Warm eyes, respectful bows, soft smiles—I returned them all as I walked through the hall. My gaze searched instinctively. Aaron. My mate. He stood near Council Rowan, speaking quietly. I walked toward them and gently placed my hand on his arm. “Good day, Council Rowan,” I greeted politely. Council Rowan looked at me—but not fully. His eyes drifted down for a brief second before returning to Aaron, then finally to me. There was something in his expression I couldn’t read. A tight smile formed on his lips. “How do you do?” Before I could respond properly, he turned and walked away. I let out a quiet sigh. A soft touch brushed my forehead. I looked up and met Aaron’s eyes. My mate. My Alpha. The only one who ever truly understood me. “Don’t let him get to you,” he said calmly, almost bored. I forced a small smile. “You know people will start talking eventually.” He pulled me closer by the waist. “I won’t let that happen.” He said it like a promise. But his eyes… didn’t feel as warm as they used to. I swallowed the thought away. Five years as Luna… and still no child. The pack was starting to whisper. The council was starting to pressure him. And I knew it. I wasn’t giving him an heir. I tried not to think about it too much… but the word disgrace kept echoing in my head. A sudden sound of trumpets filled the hall. The doors opened again. And everything changed. Gasps spread through the room as she walked in. A warrior. She moved like she belonged here—confident, steady, untouchable. Her armor gleamed under the light, and her hair was tied high in a sharp, controlled ponytail. Every step she took drew attention. Including Aaron’s. I noticed it immediately. His eyes shifted to her—and stayed there. Longer than they should. His grip on my waist loosened slightly. Something uncomfortable settled in my chest. She stopped in front of us and bowed. “Good day, Alpha… Luna.” For a moment, Aaron didn’t respond. He just looked at her. I felt it—the silence stretching too long. “I welcome you and the northern warriors to Silver Ridge Pack,” he finally said. “It is an honor to serve,” she replied, and when she lifted her eyes… I saw it. That spark. Between them. I stepped forward slightly, forcing a smile. “Welcome,” I said smoothly. I extended my hand. She hesitated for a second before taking it. “Enjoy the ceremony,” I added. As she walked away, she bowed again—but this time only to Aaron. And the look she gave him… I didn’t want to understand it. Tiredness suddenly washed over me. I yawned lightly and turned back to Aaron. “I’m tired… come with me tonight.” He looked at me briefly. Then away again. “I can’t. I’m busy.” That same excuse. Always. “You haven’t been coming to bed lately,” I said quietly. I saw it. That small breath he took… like I was becoming a burden. “I’m tired, Luna,” he said flatly. Not Cassidy. Not my love. Just Luna. Something inside me cracked quietly. I turned away before he could see my expression. I walked out of the hall alone. I didn’t look back. Even though part of me… still expected him to follow. But he didn’t. And for the first time in a long time… I went to sleep without him beside me. And somehow, the image of that warrior stayed in my mind longer than I wanted it to.